Episode 51 — The Economics of Brainwashing

[JulyDiaz 2797]

We all have addicts in our lives -- that friend or relative who fell prey to alcohol, heroin or some other drug. Nobody pretends those aren't "real" addictions. But when a D-list reality star checks in to rehab for porn addiction or a major study warns of smartphone addiction, we roll our eyes. If an obese person claims they're addicted to eating, we tsk their lack of self-control.

 

Why isn't every addiction created equal in the court of public opinion? Compulsive smartphone use doesn't have the same consequences as smoking crack, but 'Candy Crush' still makes use of the same addictive feedback loop. Whether you're gambling or eating Cheetos, you're trading your time and money in exchange for regular hits of dopamine.

 

This week on the podcast, Cracked editors Jack O'Brien and Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) discuss the science and culture of addiction in the 21st century. They'll look at all the ways giant corporations are exploiting our brains to control our behavior -- and ask if there's any way this addiction train can be stopped.

[VinsanityV22 500]

This one made me especially feel smarter. This podcast is great at either making you feel smarter, or making you smarter for learning new things - but this was definitely one where I enjoyed hearing what I already know, because Cracked makes it more eloquently and more entertaining than I ever could. The stuff about videogames - well, whatever Zynga, EA Mobile and King.com make; like you said,they're more like Slot Machines than actual games - in particular was a point I love seeing hit so hard. Simply because there's a large, vocal side of the industry THAT KNOWS that other side is bullsh*t. And man, comparing them all to slot machines (except without the chance to win a payout) is such a great analogy to make!

 

It's not just those dumb Candy Crushes and Farmvilles either; you can see that garbage bleed into normal gaming too. Like Xbox Achievements? More meaningless "rewards" for players time & attention; getting them hooked in hopes that they'll still be there weeks and months later to cough up another $30, 40 or 50 dollars for their "Season Passes" and DLC. And just now, I'm logging into Steam and I see that "I got a new item in my inventory" - stuff I've never given a sh*t about, and I really wish I could opt out of seeing those damn pop-ups alerting me to such uselessness.

 

... I'd rather have Gold Cracked Coins, to be honest. lol.

===

 

I'm sure you'll all get to breaking down the "cheat code" the music industry (and entertainment industry in general) have found that has really blanded up a lot of products in the 00's and current day. You know the thing; how so much of the Top 40 Charts, for example, are all coming from the same producers and songwriters and use the same hooks and song "building blocks"... they can just manufacture a hit, basically now. Not an especially memorable (or usually even good) one, but who cares? What Selena Gomez sings last year, Ariana Grande sings now, and someone else gets the riches while the face of the song fades into obscurity as soon as a younger, less experienced new "artist" comes around.

 

How so many summer tent-pole movies feel like they come from a template and hit all the same beats; the ole' Joseph Campbell book of movie-making. Or, if you have an old cartoon license, the "live action/CGI comedy"-template from Alvin & the Chipmunks and Garfield (... and Smurfs... and Underdog... and Rocky & Bullwinkle... and Scooby Doo... and the abandoned Marvin the Martian and Hong Kong Phooey movies... and what Sonic the Hedgehog, Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers, and ALF will be like when they come out, probably)

 

There's definitely some sort of "capitalism cheat code" conspiracy to explore there too. I love hearing how you guys shine a light on this stuff

 

Great episode, as always, guys!